Switchable capacitor arrays for preventing power interruptions and extending backup power life

Abstract

A technique for preventing power interruptions and extending backup power life is provided. The technique automatically prevents power interruptions in a line between a power source and a load. The technique can also extend the operating life of the power source. In one embodiment, a circuit for preventing power interruptions is provided. The circuit may include at least one arrays of capacitors, with the capacitors being arranged in parallel within an array, at least one switching elements configured to couple the at least one array of capacitors to a load, and a controller operatively coupled to the at least one switching element. The controller is configured to selectively drive the at least one switching element based on predetermined criteria.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A circuit for providing power to a load, the circuit comprising:
 a power source; 
 a power rail that couples the power source to a load; 
 an array of capacitors arranged in parallel within the array, the array of capacitors communicatively coupled to the power rail; 
 a switching element that selectively couples the array of capacitors to the power rail; and 
 a controller operatively coupled to the switching element that operates the switching element based on predetermined criteria. 
 
     
     
       2. The circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the controller senses leakage current in at least one of the coupled capacitors and selectively triggers the switching element to isolate the capacitor based on a predetermined value of the leakage current. 
     
     
       3. The circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a timer that measures a designated time period and triggers the switching element when the time period expires. 
     
     
       4. The circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one irreversible switching element deployed between the array of capacitors and the switching element. 
     
     
       5. The circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising a power monitor coupled to the controller, the power monitor measuring parameters at the power rail in real time. 
     
     
       6. The circuit of  claim 5 , wherein the controller selectively triggers the switching element in real time based on a value of a parameter measured by the power monitor. 
     
     
       7. The circuit of  claim 6 , wherein the controller triggers the switching element when a voltage characteristic of the power rail satisfies a predetermined condition. 
     
     
       8. The circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising a current limiter. 
     
     
       9. The circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising a voltage regulator. 
     
     
       10. The circuit of  claim 6 , wherein the parameter measured by the power monitor is any of voltage, current, capacitance, energy, or time. 
     
     
       11. The circuit of  claim 5 , wherein the parameter measured by the power monitor is any of voltage, current, capacitance, energy, or time. 
     
     
       12. The circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising a power monitor coupled to a controller, the power monitor determining capacitance at the power rail in real time.